Game Recap #SEAvCOL: Seattle Sounders 2, Colorado Rapids 0

We knew that the Seattle Sounders would be a tough match. After the first eight minutes, the Colorado Rapids hoped to leave the Pacific Northwest without being embarrassed. Though the scoreboard was kind (2-0), the eyeball test showed the difference between the chemistry and quality of Seattle and the need for gelling among the new pieces for the Rapids.

First Half

This game started off ugly quickly. The concern about the backline of the Rapids proved legitimate. In the fifth minute, the Sounders’ Kelvin Leerdam scored on a third try in a flurry of activity in front of goal.

Then a scant two minutes later, the Rapids looked completely lost and outclassed as Raul Ruidiaz puts the Sounders ahead. The Rapids scrambled to recover and mark someone (anyone)—but to no avail.

Kei Kamara almost put one away for the Rapids in the 13th minute, giving Rapids supporters a small taste of how Kamara and Diego Rubio could work together.

The Rapids had an opportunity in the 20th minute on a counter when Rubio was fouled just outside the box. Referee Baldomero Toledo allowed the advantage, providing Keegan Rosenberry of the Rapids with a solid shot on goal, but into the hands of Sounders GK Stefan Frei. The free kick by Kellyn Acosta did not make it over the wall.

In the 26th minute, Colorado turned the ball over in the final third, allowing the Sounders to counter, inches away from the toe of Jordan Morris far post.

An interesting piece of trivia: In the 28th minute, the Rapids earned their 1500th corner in franchise history (but nothing came of it).

The Burgundy Boys began finding their form in the last 10 minutes of the first half in connecting passes better, but they struggled to find lanes to connect for shots on target.

Second Half

The second half saw the Rapids connecting better, but also saw the Sounders pulling back to preserve the lead they acquired so quickly. Harry Shipp of the Sounders had a wide open net and the chance to put the Sounders ahead 3-0—but skied it ten rows back, keeping the score 2-0.

The Rapids substituted very late in the match, bringing in Andre Shinyashiki and Niki Jackson in the 77th and 87th minute and leaving a third sub on the bench.

The Rapids ended up with 15 shots compared to the Sounders 13. But Seattle held the ball 63% to 37%, clearly showing their quality and chemistry.

Be on the lookout for the Rapid Fire takeaways on Monday as we look at the pros and cons from this match.